5 Things to Highlight on College Instagram Accounts

In the higher education space, reaching potential students in new and different ways is unbelievably important. First, consider exactly who your audience is – current or new college students – and make sure you are reaching them effectively. College students may be the most sensitive and aware generation of marketing and messaging, not to mention their high expectations when it comes to brand interactions. This is where social media, namely Instagram, comes into play. This is the perfect platform for colleges to reach students, so make sure you are doing it authentically and effectively.

If you’re running a college Instagram account, here are 5 things to post!

1. Campus

As a college or university, one of your best methods of generating meaningful traction is to show potential students where they would be living and attending class. It’s important to show both high level and detailed photography of campus. Make sure to include dynamic money shots of the most distinctive parts of campus but also post detailed shots of classrooms, high trafficked areas, and libraries. This will help add context for potential students and allow them to imagine themselves at your school.

If you want to get creative, consider posting seasonal shots, drawings of campus, and even videos. In terms of seasonality, show how the campus changes throughout the year and highlight different parts of campus. This will excite and give potential students something to look forward to, while also setting their expectations.

2. Culture

Each campus has its own elements that make it completely unique. So often, colleges and universities don’t play these elements up in a way that is personal or unique. General statements, vague terminology, and broad messaging don’t help potential students differentiate one college or university from the others. But Instagram allows you to capture what makes your institution stand out in a very visual way. Take a shot of that midnight tradition or campus superstition – unite new and old community members behind these traditions. Post videos, quotes, and spotlights about certain traditions or important things to the school’s culture.

3. Students

Getting shots of current students (with permission) is incredibly helpful for potential students when they are determining if they can really see themself at your school. Understanding your target students will help you choose what types of students to showcase on Instagram. As we will mention later, make sure the subjects of your photos are reflective of your student population.

Additionally, make sure you are leveraging your alumni crowd – create Instagram content that highlights them and engage them in conversations on the platform. To keep them involved, consider making an alumni #tbt, and show alumni photos of students then and now (preferably on campus). This will allow alumni an opportunity to engage with content they can relate to and also show potential students that campus life doesn’t end at graduation.

4. Diversity

In any marketing effort, it is incredibly important to embody your institution’s commitment to diversity. Different perspectives create a stronger and more dynamic community, so showcase that within your Instagram feed. Post different initiatives, conferences, and events to showcase diversity on campus and gain engagement. This will help you demonstrate how much the institution and those who are a part of it care about this important element. Show potential students that you are committed to promoting diversity, but you’re also a dynamic and multi-faceted institution that cares and values different types of people, regardless of ethnicity.

5. Staff

Often, higher education institutions forget to showcase professors through their marketing efforts. College and university thought leaders can create a strong pull for students who are trying to choose between different schools. Make sure to show a diverse staff selection, in terms of department and field of study. This will show well-roundedness and will also increase your opportunities to reach those interested in different areas of the university. Create a professor highlight series that shows accomplished staff members and their accomplishments. This could be attractive for a potential student who is interested in a particular field. You can analyze the engagement metrics of these posts to gauge your Instagram following’s interest and gain valuable insight.

Next Steps

The process of marketing your institution relies on your ability to decrease the question marks and paint an accurate picture of what life is like at school. Ultimately, the decision will come down to which school eliminates the most question marks in a potential student’s mind and makes them feel comfortable. Instagram is an incredible way for colleges and universities to aid students in the decision-making process because of its ability to meet potential students where they are – on a platform they are comfortable with and care about.

If you need help with running a college Instagram account or any marketing efforts, Pyxl has years of meaningful experience with higher education clients. For inspiration, and to learn more about the higher education projects we’ve worked on, check out The United States Air Force Academy and South College. Contact Pyxl today if you’re ready to push your marketing efforts to the next level.

Updated: Apr 13, 2022